Zdenek Macal conducts a sumptuously pleasant Má Vlast, one keenly attuned to the music’s pastoral elements and rich colors, vividly realized by the fine musicians of the Milwaukee Symphony. The slithery runs at the start of the Moldau take on an almost impressionistic feel, as do those ethereal fugato passages in From Bohemia’s Woods and Meadows. At the other end of the spectrum, the Milwaukee brass boldly project Tábor’s insistent fanfares, which reappear in the stern opening of Blanik. Telarc’s warm and dynamic recording makes for a realistic listening experience. A good performance, and a good deal at the MHS price. Problem is, there just happens to be a great performance by another American orchestra (amazingly still available) on Deutsche Grammophon. Kubelik’s 1971 recording presents a Boston Symphony flush with the music’s Czech spirit, and their performance pretty much clears the boards when it comes to virtuosity (especially the chill-inducing rendition of Šárka). This was one of Kubelik’s signature pieces, and his rhythmic alacrity, accent, imagination and excitement, decidedly outscores Macal’s, even with the latter’s significantly superior sound.
